Robust Surface Navigation (RSN)

Program Manager: Dr. Stefanie Tompkins

The Robust Surface Navigation (RSN) program will provide the U.S. Warfighter with the ability to geo-locate and navigate effectively when the Global Positioning System (GPS) is unavailable due to hostile action (e.g. jamming) or blockage by structures and foliage. The RSN program will develop the procedures and technologies for geo- location of stationary assets and navigation of mobile platforms by exploiting signals of opportunity and/or specialized signals from satellite, airborne, and terrestrial assets. The use of widely available, powerful, and economically important (and thus dependable) signals of opportunity will provide a robust non-GPS capability. Signals of opportunity can also be augmented when necessary by purpose- deployed signal-emitting beacons. RSN will use the greater strength and diversity of these opportunistic and intentional signals to provide coverage when GPS is denied due to lack of penetration and when severe multi-path is a problem, or when GPS is jammed or denied globally.